title: A New Experimental Model for Neuronal and Glial Differentiation Using Stem Cells Derived from Human Exfoliated Deciduous Teeth.
abstract: Stem cells isolated from human adult tissues represent a promising source for neural differentiation studies in vitro. We have isolated and characterized stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHEDs). These originate from the neural crest and therefore particularly suitable for induction of neural differentiation. We here established a novel three-stage protocol for neural differentiation of SHEDs cells. After adaptation to a serum-free and neurogenic environment, SHEDs were induced to differentiate. This resulted in the formation of stellate or bipolar round-shaped neuron-like cells with subpopulations expressing markers of sensory neurons (Brn3a, peripherin) and glia (myelin basic protein). Commercial PCR array analyses addressed the expression profiles of genes related to neurogenesis and cAMP/calcium signalling. We found distinct evidence for the upregulation of genes regulating the specification of sensory (MAF), sympathetic (midkine, pleitrophin) and dopaminergic (tyrosine hydroxylase, Nurr1) neurons and the differentiation and support of myelinating and non-myelinating Schwann cells (Krox24, Krox20, apolipoprotein E). Moreover, for genes controlling major developmental signalling pathways, there was upregulation of BMP (TGF β-3, BMP2) and Notch (Notch 2, DLL1, HES1, HEY1, HEY2) in the differentiating SHEDs. SHEDs treated according to our new differentiation protocol gave rise to mixed neuronal/glial cell cultures, which opens new possibilities for in vitro studies of neuronal and glial specification and broadens the potential for the employment of such cells in experimental models and future treatment strategies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Stem Cell Biology, State Research Institute Centre for Innovative Medicine, Žygimantų 9, 01102, Vilnius, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Akvilė
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jarmalavičiūtė
authors.forename: Virginijus
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tunaitis
authors.forename: Eglė
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Strainienė
authors.forename: Rūta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Aldonytė
authors.forename: Arūnas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ramanavičius
authors.forename: Algirdas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Venalis
authors.forename: Karl-Eric
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Magnusson
authors.forename: Augustas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pivoriūnas